(NT 9256 0784) Camp. (1)
Clennell Hill, Hill fort enclosing approximately 2 acres. (2)
Type A1 (Forts on the edges of precipices defended in part only by artificial works). (3)
Remains of an earthwork are situated, at approximately, 850 feet above sea-level, upon the highest part of a south-west projecting spur of Clennell Hill, from which it is separated by a saddle. The site is naturally defended upon the north-west side by precipitous slopes which fall to the valley of the River Alwin. It overlooks falling slopes to the east and south and is overlooked by Clennell Hill beyond the saddle from the north-east.
The earthwork has consisted of double ramparts of earth and stone encircling the hill top except along the top of the precipitous slopes on the north-west side, where there has been a single very slight rampart, of which little now remains. Of the double ramparts, the inner is much the stronger. On the south-east side, the outer rampart has been destroyed by rig and furrow ploughing, and the inner rampart has been robbed of material to construct an old field bank which runs off the rampart, towards the south side, and passes down the hillside in a south-westerly direction. The principal entrance is in the south-east side. There is another entrance in the south side. From both entrances, a bank runs a little way towards the centre of the site. North of the south-east entrance is a small enclosure, with a hut-circle of 3m diameter, raised upon a mound, on its north-west side. There is a second hut circle of 7m diameter near the centre of the earthwork. Both circles have entrances in their south-east sides. Most of the interior of the earthwork is covered with outcrops of living rock.
It has been a Hill Fort of some strength and occupies a commanding situation, overlooking the Alwin Valley to the north-west, and its confluence with the River Coquet to the south. Low lying ground stretches for some distance to the south-east and east, and the site overlooks the lower slopes of Clennell Hill to the north-east.
The Alwin River is the nearest present fresh water supply. (4)
In view of the very strong natural defences to the north-west and the classification given by authority (3) this earthwork is better described as a Cliff Fort. (5)
Listed as Iron Age univallate (forts, settlements and enclosures. Included as 'univallate' are all enclosures consisting of an internal mound, a distinctive ditch, and perhaps the remains of a less prominent counterscarp bank. In this case a berm rather than a ditch separates the two features). (6)
In fair condition. The scooped enclosure north of the entrance, traces of internal dividing walls, and the possible sites of three stone-founded huts all suggest some secondary occupation. Resurveyed at 1:2500. See photographs. (7)
No change since reports of 10/5/57, 30/5/57 and 30/6/70. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (8)
Camp Knowe univallate hillfort, 700m north west of Clennell. Scheduling revised on 24th March 1994, new national monument number 25022.
The monument includes a univallate hillfort of Iron Age date situated in a commanding position on the highest part of a spur overlooking the River Alwin and its confluence with the River Coquet to the south. The fort, roughly oval in shape, measures 96m north-east to south-west by 80m north-west to south-east within a substantial rampart of earth and stone measuring 4m across and varying in height from 1m-2m. The site is naturally defended on the north-west side by steep slopes and, reflecting this security, the rampart here is slighter and 2m-3m wide with a maximum height of 0.3m. The rampart is separated from a counterscarp bank by a broad berm which measures 5m across; the counterscarp bank, which is not carried around the north-west side, is a maximum of 4m wide and stands to a maximum height of 1m. The south-eastern defences have been overlain by a later field wall. Original entrances lie in the south and south-east side of the fort. A low bank runs from both entrances towards the centre of the site, where the stone foundations of up to three circular houses 7m in diameter are visible, all with entrances in their south-east sides. Within the enclosure, north of the south-east entrance there is an unusual structure consisting of an enclosure containing a small circular building 3m in diameter situated upon a mound in its north-west corner. The latter enclosure, the stone houses and internal dividing walls are consistent with Romano-British reuse of the Iron Age fort.
The univallate hillfort north-west of Clennell is well preserved and substantial and significant archaeological deposits survive. The commanding situation of this fort suggests that it was a settlement of some importance in the region. The later Romano-British site is also well preserved and will contribute to the study of the changing pattern of settlement in this area in the later prehistoric period. (9)